Shetland’s year in events: always a good time to visit

Fire Festivals

• Scalloway Fire Festival – 10th Jan 2025
• Lerwick Up Helly Aa – 28th January 2025
• Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa – 28th January 2025
• Nesting & Girlsta Up Helly Aa – 7th February 2025
• Uyeasound Up Helly Aa – 14th February 2025
• Northmavine Up Helly Aa – 21st February 2025
• Cullivoe Up Helly Aa – 28th February 2025
• Bressay Up Helly Aa – 2025 date TBC
• Norwick Up Helly Aa – 22nd February 2025
• Walls Junior Up Helly Aa – 2025 date TBC
• South Mainland Up Helly Aa – 14th March 2025
• Delting Up Helly Aa – 21st March 2025

*Some dates may be subject to change

Up Helly Aa marks the passing of winter, and brings the light back into the darkest months. A superb spectacle, a celebration of Shetland’s Norse heritage, and a triumphant demonstration of islanders' skills and spirit, our Fire Festivals are unique.

Lerwick Up Helly Aa may not be the first, but it’s certainly the biggest. On the evening of Lerwick Up Helly Aa Day, almost 1,000 heavily-disguised torch-bearers, in groups, known as ‘squads’, form ranks in the darkened streets of Shetland’s capital and process through the town.

However, Up Helly Aas and Fire Festivals take place all over the islands, beginning with Scalloway in January and ending with Delting Up Helly Aa in March. Each night is as awe-inspiring as the last, from the dedication and organisation of the guizers to the heat of the flames.

To find out more about the Shetland Fire Festival Season, visit our Up Helly Aa page.

Shetland County Drama Festival

• 2025 date TBC

If the fire festivals aren’t dramatic enough for you, Shetland County Drama Festival might be more up your street. Drama groups from different areas in Shetland gather in the Garrison Theatre in Lerwick to compete in the competition. A variety of genres abounds, with comedies and dramas, each promising to be as entertaining as the last.

Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year Competition

• 2025 date TBC

Shetland is well known for its accomplished fiddle players, and this is no less true in our younger generations. Fiddle players aged 16 or under, take part in Shetland’s two day Young Fiddler competition, with the final decision made at the prize-giving concert on Saturday evening.

Shetland Folk Festival

• 1st May – 4th May 2025

Shetland’s Folk Festival celebrates Shetland’s homegrown talent alongside some of the biggest names in folk music. Throughout Shetland, folk artists of worldwide renown take to the stage and play well into the night. The UK's most northerly folk festival is often regarded as the grandaddy of folk festivals. For performers, locals and visitors alike, the festival's "sessions" are among the best in the world.

Visiting artists are regularly struck by the quantity and quality of local talent and by the warm welcome they receive, staying not in hotels but in the homes of Folk Festival supporters.

Simmer Dim Rally

• June 2025

Bikers from within the UK and beyond will make their way up to Shetland in June for the most northerly motorcycle rally in the UK. The Simmer Dim Rally is famous for its atmosphere. See the Simmer Dim Facebook page for more details on how to get tickets for the event.

Bergen – Shetland Races

• 2025 date TBC

Between 40 to 60 yachts will compete in the race between Bergen in Norway and Lerwick, Shetland, the biggest race on the North Sea. The Pantaenius Shetland Race is a major annual event in the sailing world: a competitive but friendly race that evidences the close Shetland-Norway relationship.

Read more about why Shetland is a hot spot for yachts.

Shetland Pride Festival

• 2025 date TBC

In 2022, Shetland celebrated its first pride event. Due to the success of the event, it returned in 2023 and plans are underway for another celebration and parade throuth Lerwick. Visit the website for more details and check out our photo gallery from the 2022 Pride event.

Mid-summer carnival

• 2025 date TBC

The annual Mid-Summer Carnival is a fantastic evening of fun which raises money for good causes. The streets of Lerwick became a sea of colour and festivity as floats and people in fancy dress make their way through the streets of Lerwick.

Unstfest

• 2025 date TBC

UnstFest is a week of fun events on the lovely island of Unst. Activities from previous years have included: Cooking for bairns, Rollerwheels (skates, scooters and bikes at the leisure centre), a Teddy Bear Hospital where you can get your best pal mended, Fire Station open night, a Stone Skimming Championship, a guided walk to Hermaness and the UnstFest Summer Carnival.

Shetland Agricultural Shows

• Voe Show - 2025 date TBC
• Cunningsburgh Show - 2025 date TBC
• Walls Show - 2025 date TBC
• Unst Show - 2025 date TBC
• Yell Show - 2025 date TBC

If you're looking for a great day out for young and old, then look no further than the Shetland Agricultural Shows. The various shows take place throughout the month. All are great days out, with plenty for children to do and competitions for the best livestock and produce including veggies, baking, knitting and crafts. Keep an eye out on the local news sites for more information the shows.

Shetland Fiddle Week

• 4th to 8th August 2025

Hosted in the islands, the event gives visitors the chance to experience Shetland's unique fiddle style in stunning surroundings. It includes fiddle classes suitable for all abilities, teaching the unique Shetland fiddle style and tunes, and the opportunity to meet some of the islands' best-known and most-talented musicians.

Rising North Music Festival

• 14th to 17th August 2025

Shetland is known around the world for its exceptionally talented musicians but in 2024 a committee of local musicians and music lovers came together to put on a new type of music festival in Shetland. Rising North fills a gap in the busy Shetland social calendar, and provides something different to bring people together. The festival featured heavier sounds of local and national musicans, and is a must-attend for anyone who enjoys a "spree".

The 2024 tickets sold out in seconds so it's reccomanded to be ready when they go on sale.

Shetland Wool Week

• 28th September - 4th October 2025

If you love all things knitting, then you should definitely make the trip to Shetland Wool Week.

Shetland Wool Week is a celebration of wool in Shetland. It's a week-long event that brings together knitters from all over the world in one place to share their knowledge and passion for knitting, lace-making, crocheting, dyeing, spinning, and even rearing sheep with others.

The festival started in 2010 and is held every year at the end of September or the beginning of October. The festival is held at venues around Shetland including hotels, cafes, pubs and community halls. If you want to check out the action, it's best to book accommodation early because spaces fill up quickly!

Visit stay.shetland.org for help finding accommodation in 2024.

Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival

• 2025 date TBC

The fiddle and accordion are synonymous with traditional Shetland music and this autumn festival is a celebration of both. Usually taking place over a busy five-day period in early October, musicians from all over the world perform at this event, although the emphasis is on Scottish Dance music.

Craft Fair

• 2025 date TBC

The annual Craft Fair is organised by Shetland Arts & Crafts Association and illustrates the range and depth of artistic talent and craft skills that are so evident in the islands. Inspired by Shetland's dramatic scenery, heritage and culture, Shetland’s arts and crafts producers offer a diverse collection that includes knitwear and textiles, furniture, jewellery, fashion and home accessories, gifts and fine art.

The islands' traditional designs of knitwear, handed down through generations, are prominent, but there are also examples of modern, original textile designs by accomplished local makers.

Pantomime season

• 2025 date TBC

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a pantomime, and each year a fantastic show is staged at the Garrison Theatre in Lerwick. The historic venue plays host to the festive spectacular organised by Shetland’s different theatre groups. You can expect heroes, villains, dames, slapstick, and sweeties – as well as the occasional, “Oh, no he didn’t!”.

If you’re looking for more festive fun you won’t want to miss the annual Christmas Parade in Lerwick which sees Santa arrive via the Lerwick Lifeboat to join a procession through the town as the Christmas lights are switched on.

Hogmanay at Mareel

• 31st December 2025 (event TBC)

Mareel often brings in the end of the year with a bang. Showcasing Shetland’s varied and impressive musical talents, Mareel holds two events on the 31st.

One is a relaxed sit-down concert with some of Shetland’s finest musicians, and the second is ringing the bells in and dancing the night away with popular local DJs. It's always a fun and hugely popular event.

This packed list doesn't even include the various classes, pop-up shops, open mic nights and celebrations that happen throughout Shetland all year. From January to December, there is never a bad time to visit Shetland.